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Turkey End 24-Year World Cup Drought with Win over Kosovo
Kerem Akturkoglu scored in the 53rd minute as Turkey ended a 24-year wait and reached the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- On Tuesday, Turkey ended a 24-year wait to qualify for the FIFA World Cup by defeating Kosovo 1-0 in their playoff final, securing a return to football's biggest stage for the first time since 2002.
- Coach Vincenzo Montella oversaw a squad blending emerging talents and experienced internationals under immense pressure. "Anyone who does this job dreams of the World Cup," Montella told Turkish state news agency Anadolu.
- Forward Kerem Akturkoglu scored the only goal in the 53rd minute after a driving run from Kenan Yildiz down the left. Turks took to streets waving flags from honking cars to celebrate.
- Turkey will face Australia, Paraguay, and co-host the United States in Group D of the FIFA World Cup, setting up the team's tournament challenge against three international opponents.
- Akturkoglu noted most players were too young to remember 2002, telling Turkish TV, "Now we will give the next generation something to dream about at the 2026 World Cup." The qualification inspires a new era for the national team.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Vincenzo Montella's Turkey takes off the World Championship pass 2026. The Italian coach beats 1-0 Kosovo and celebrates. If the result were in favour of the Turks, the coach...
The Kosovo national team was defeated tonight at the “Fadil Vokrri” stadium by Turkey, losing the opportunity to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. A single goal, scored by Kerem Akturkoglu in the 53rd minute, decided the fate of the match and eliminated the dream of the “Dardans” to participate in the biggest world football tournament. After the final whistle of referee Michael Oliver, Kosovo striker and captain, Vedat Muriqi, was seen emotional a…
Turkey beat Kosovo to qualify for World Cup for first time in 24 years
Turkey ended a 24-year wait to qualify for the World Cup by beating Kosovo 1-0 in their playoff final on Tuesday, sealing a return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 2002. Forward Kerem Akturkoglu scored the only goal in the 53rd minute to settle a tense contest in…
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